Heimir Hallgrímsson reacts to Nations League draw as Ireland find out playoff opponents

Heimir Hallgrimsson is predicting a tight battle with Bulgaria in their Nations League promotion-relegation playoff.

The sides were pitched together at today’s draw in Nyon and the Boys in Green will be away first on Thursday, March 20.

Bulgaria play some games outside of Sofia and this looks likely to be one of them, so fans have been urged to wait for confirmation of the game before booking.

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Aviva Stadium will host the second-leg, with Ireland - as the seeded team - at home on Sunday, March 23. The winner over two legs will play in League B in the next Nations League, with the loser competing in League C.

“I think Bulgaria is an okay draw,” said Hallgrimsson in Switzerland today, after Bulgaria were pulled from the hat instead of Kosovo, Armenia or Slovakia.

“It's not my favourite, it's not the worst. Slovakia was the highest FIFA-ranked team and everyone would like to avoid them. It's probably going to be an equal game.”

The Ireland boss continued: “Bulgaria were in a group with Northern Ireland and if I remember correctly they lost 5-1 in Belfast (it was 5-0). But that is kind of an outlier in all their results as they had four clean sheets in that group.

“Somebody told me Ireland had them in the group in 2020 and it was two draws, so you would expect a low scoring game when you look at the goals and statistics.”

Asked if it was important for Ireland to stay in the second tier and compete in League B again, Hallgrimsson said: “Well, it's different opinions.

“Some say it's better to be in Group C to have more chances of winning games. My opinion is that you should always play the stronger team and try to improve that way. That's my opinion and I think it's important that if we want to try to qualify for finals it's always better to play better teams than not.”

Hallgrimsson must pick up the pieces after Ireland’s horror show at Wembley last Sunday, when they saw a 0-0 half-time score turn into a 5-0 defeat. He will travel to meet the players at various stages in the weeks ahead, while scouting them in club action and hope they arrive into camp in March in good form.

“If you look at our games, that second-half was an outlier in our performance so hopefully time will heal these wounds,” he added. “Now, it's a little bit of a quieter time for me and a good time to look back and reflect and just gather my thoughts.”

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